This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Mr Cameron, accompanied by local MP Hazel Blears, visited Salford Fire Station where he spoke to locals who witnessed the disorder.

The trouble in both Manchester and Salford left more then 100 premises damaged and police have made around 120 arrests.

Speaking to residents, the PM hailed the bravery shown by police officers who faced down those involved in the disorder:

They were brave on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. They are brave every day of every year when they put their lives on the line for us. I have huge respect for our police.

But clearly we needed to act this week to get control of the streets, to get them back for the law-abiding. The police did that, they did change their tactics, they did increase police numbers, that was the right thing to do.

And through COBRA they had the political support of the Government, the Prime Minister and the whole of Parliament to get on and do that.